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Some say the supreme joy, in life, can be found through transcendence to the higher realms of consciousness. Some say the ultimate joy in life can be found through the accumulation of gobs of money. Some say the best in life can be found through a peaceful life of service to humanity.

I don’t know the truth of these, but what I do know is that my morning cup of espresso is so satisfying to me that I fear I may have a serious addiction.

Let me digress. I have been drinking coffee since I was 16 years old. I have gone through all the phases that coffee drinkers experience: homemade percolator coffee, restaurant coffee, Starbucks Americano, Canadiano, espresso . . . You name it – I’ve tried it.

At this stage in my life, I have settled for the ultimate cup of coffee: A long espresso made on my own at-home Starbucks Espresso machine with 1 spoon of sugar, cream and the one additional ingredient that is to die for – a very small taster shot of Amaretto. The sugar, cream and Amaretto must be preheated in a bowl of very hot water prior to adding the coffee from the machine. (don’t preheat in the microwave). I like my coffee HOT!

Throughout all these years one thing has remained constant: my constant need for sugar and cream in my coffee. I can handle it without the cream but the sugar . . .

Here is my problem. I’m at an age where I think I should take better care of my health to ensure a happy long life. It’s not that the coffee is so bad for me – it’s the sugar! Even the cream isn’t that bad for me and the Amaretto – well – a little once in a while won’t hurt you. I have given up coffee MANY times during my life: sometimes for up to six months. Imagine -6 months without coffee. Then, and it always happens like this, I think “Oh a little coffee would taste so good – think I’ll try it”. One sip and I’m hooked for a few more years. Isn’t this the sign of a serious addiction?

They say sugar is a killer.

So dear reader. do you have any suggestions for how to deal with my addiction to SUGAR. I’ve tried coffee without it – tastes awful to me. Should I just give up the coffee altogether or is there an alternative that will give me my morning HIT?

A time comes in ones life when you must come clean with those who are close to you; those special ones in your family, friends and even people you don’t know well but really like. This is my time.

Many, many years ago I created a snack that was, for me, out of this world. It was a moment of eureka in my life. It is time for me share this with the world. Now this is a very simple recipe and some of you will find this humorously simple but for me it is very serious. I love this snack and the day, many years ago, when I had the inspiration to create it was truly a great day because I have been making it regularly for many years, mostly for myself. Here it is. You have my permission to share this recipe with anyone of your choosing:

Ingredients:

1 piece of toasted whole grain bread. (Be sure toast is still hot ).

1 jar of crunchy peanut butter (the crunchy type is important).

Some soft butter.

1 large dill pickle (some say kosher is best, but I don’t really care as long as it was made with garlic).

1 spreading knife.

1 sharp knife for cutting the pickle.

Directions:

First cut the pickle in long thin slices approximately 2 millimeters thick; set aside.

Next, spread the butter, sparingly, on the hot toast (must be hot so the butter melts) and then liberally spread the crunchy peanut butter on the toast. I’m sure you all know this to be regular toast and peanut butter.

Now for the moment of Eureka – place the thin dill pickle slices evenly on top of the peanut butter until covered. One large pickle should do the trick.

Slice the toast diagonally and place on a plate.

Serve and enjoy.

Many of you may be thinking this is too simple but I would remind you – some of the most important and enjoyable things in life are simple. Things like eating, drinking, sex, love and, for those of you who know me well, you guessed it, breathing. Yes – breathing – so simple, yet so incredibly rewarding. Do we appreciate our breath as much as our peanut butter and dill pickle?

You may say – “Heck, I know about the pickle thing already”. Yes, maybe you do, but, I tell you, when I thought this up, I had never heard of it. You may ask: “why did you think it up?”. I will tell you why: Because the peanut butter was too sweet and I wanted to cut it with something bitter. Hence: the pickle idea. Often the inspiration for the greatest inventions can come from the simplest of problems. What an amazing combination this recipe is – it’s kind of like sweet and sour pork in a Chinese restaurant.

If you have already heard of this recipe, it is probably because someone close to me must have betrayed my confidence, because my secret recipe was long ago revealed, without my knowledge, to the world. I know this because I recently googled “peanut butter and pickle” and found, much to my surprise, that many people are already aware of and enjoying it. However, I am not angry about this. In fact, I am very pleased that so many people are already enjoying the benefits of my moment of Eureka.

Note – I know that some of my friends are Vegans (Feather) and you are quite welcome to substitute margarine or something else for the butter ( or leave it out entirely). It won’t be the same and definitely will not be true to the original recipe, but I’m sure it will be very tasty for you.

In case the recipe is not adequate, I am attaching a picture of the finished snack.